Greater Cambridge Local Plan Issues & Options 2020

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5.1 As referred to in Section 2 of these representations, National Planning Policy confirms “Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development” (NPPF, paragraph 80). The approach taken should allow each area to build on its strengths, counter any weaknesses and address the challenges of the future. 5.2 Cambridge’s hi-technology clusters, particularly in AI, bio-tech and agri-tech are recognised in the UK Industrial Strategy as an essential element of the UK economy to support “…towns such as MK, Oxford and Cambridge (that) have been hot spots for job creation. We must promote growth through fostering clusters and connectivity across cities, towns and surrounding areas.” 5.3 Growth relies on increases in employment and productivity and the Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) emphasises the need for productivity growth in this region as employment rates are so high. Economic growth is therefore essential for the next Local Plan. As part of the devolution contract to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is a commitment to doubling the economic output of the area (Gross Value Added) over 25 years. This is a challenging target and needs to factor at the heart of the Plan.

5.4 A wide variety of business and industrial space is most needed in Greater Cambridge, in terms of location, size, function and price, in order to support the growth of the economy, offering choice to meet an occupier’s individual needs: “The requirements for physical space, like finance, have stages. What a business needs in its start-up phase is different to its needs as it matures and grows. It is vital, if an innovation ecosystem is to be effective for there to be variety and availability at every stage*. 5.5 Flexible commercial space in urban and rural areas supports the growth of local business and strengthens opportunities for local supply chains to engage in the growth industries of the region. Local supply chains are recognised by the UK Government as a means of delivering ‘clean growth’ (UK Industrial Strategy) as they contribute to the Strategy’s mission to halve energy use in new buildings, partly by facilitation of local supply chains. 5.6 The Science and Technology sector is the engine of the Cambridge Phenomenon that has driven the economy and it will remain an important part of the local economy and job market. Alongside, it is important to have all types of commercial space to provide for a wide range of job opportunities and to serve Greater Cambridge at close quarters to not overly rely on longdistance travel to service the area with goods and services. Further prime office floorspace in high quality developments is also needed to consolidate and expand the world class facilities which have recently put CB1 on the international property investment map. 5.7 All new employment space should be located and built to maximise the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors. Healthy buildings in locations that reduce commute times and improve the sleep and wellbeing of its occupants contribute significantly to their productivity. Improving productivity is a primary route through which the Greater Cambridgeshire economic expansion objectives of doubling GVA and inclusive growth will be achieved. “If workers can be more productive, they can bring home more take home pay, which will flow into the local economy. And they will be able to enjoy a higher standard of life. It is this, before anything else, which needs to be looked at to create an inclusive economic future.” CPIER p38 *Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019 p 41

5.8 A broad range of employment opportunities accessible by active modes of transport (including public transport) needs to be maintained in urban and rural areas to ensure local jobs are available. All existing space and allocations should be assessed to understand their suitability for employment uses in the current climate of energy use reduction, the need for local employment, access for the workforce by public transport or active means of travel, which locations can deliver the highest health and wellbeing for workers and surrounding people

5.9 Whilst the focus of Cambridge is the Science and Technology sector as the driving force of the economy, there is a requirement for a range of job opportunities, in urban and more rural areas. The Local Plan policy framework needs to provide for a full range of opportunities; as planned allocations and windfall employment opportunities. 5.10 The CPIER notes a missed opportunity to supply AI, science and technology and bio-medical clusters from within the region: 10.8% of supplies come from within the company’s local area (30mile radius) while 27.8% came from overseas*. Growing these local supply chains, particularly the high value ones would help disperse the economic benefits and provide a wide range of different jobs. Availability of suitable sites and premises in excellent locations outside of Cambridge is a key factor in spreading the economic growth. 5.11 The redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site for a high density mixed-use development which offers a healthy working environment and Build to Rent housing would be welcomed. The delivery of a high quality public realm which provides both recreational space and efficient management of pedestrian and cycle through traffic is essential in areas around the Central Business District around the train station. *CPIER p54

5.12 The UK industrial Strategy advocates focusing on our strengths, “fostering clusters and connectivity across cities, towns and surrounding areas” * Sites which support these clusters are necessary and could be urban, edge of town or rural. 5.13 Locations with high levels of public transport access should be identified for businesses with high employment densities. This would include sites within walking distance of train stations, travel hubs and along transport corridors. “by ensuring good quality public transport is in place before development, the number of those new residents who will use the transport is maximised. This is also likely to be the best way to stretch some of the high-value businesses based within and around Cambridge out into wider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. These companies will not want to be distant from the city, but these clusters could ‘grow’ out along the transportation links, providing connection to other market towns.” ** 5.14 Taller prime office buildings could locate at Cambridge’s railway stations to focus development at transport hubs; keeping the city compact, but supporting the demand for high quality office space, particularly that arising from knowledge intensive (KI), especially artificial intelligence firms around Cambridge Central station. This supports CPIERs third key recommendation: “Ensuring that Cambridge continues to deliver for KI businesses should be considered a nationally strategic priority”. 5.15 The cluster effect is well-evidenced in Cambridgeshire and an opportunity exists for Greater Cambridge to encourage the forces of agglomeration through promotion of sites around existing groups of same-sector companies. This is certainly the case for the Science and Technology Sector. A spatial strategy to provide for a range of commercial and job opportunities should be informed by the cluster approach, but not at the expense of unduly restricting employment opportunities across the Plan area, particularly to transport corridors. 5.16 Non-knowledge intensive companies tend to be more footloose and typically locate where premises are provided rather than through bespoke development, while some companies expand from humbler often rural beginnings in converted buildings. To enable this growth dynamic, employment locations in settlements of all sizes and classification should be allocated or be permissible, with larger concentrations of floorspace in areas with better public transport and access to active modes of travel. CPIER supports this position noting that deeper networks on smaller clusters on the periphery of Cambridge could help spread the ‘Cambridge effect’. *UK Industrial Strategy 2017 p18 **CPIER p41

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5.17 An overly prescriptive policy framework can harm the viability and vitality of centres. A modern, responsive policy approach is welcomed to allow for a wider range of services and facilities. A flexible approach to the density and heights of development that will be provided on sustainable sites such as the Travis Perkins site is welcomed.

6.1 There should be flexibility within the Local Plan to respond to changing housing needs over the Local Plan period. It is important to identify a baseline housing need but there should be scope for further development to come forward if it meets a particular housing need. This would support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes to ensure that a sufficient amount and variety of land can come forward where it is needed and that the needs of groups with specific housing requirements are addressed (NPPF Para. 59). 6.2 There is an identified need for Build to Rent housing in Cambridge. The redevelopment of the Travis Perkins site offers an opportunity to provide a significant amount of rented accommodation in a highly sustainable location, making the best possible use of a brownfield site that is already allocated for residential development.

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6.3 To support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the supply of homes, a sufficient amount and variety of land needs to be identified to meeting housing needs within the Joint Local Plan area. The Cambridge and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER) (September 2018) suggests that higher housing target numbers are likely to be needed in Cambridgeshire if the potential for higher growth in employment is to be met. 6.4 Housing requirements are minimums, not maximums to stay under at all costs. There is a wellevidenced affordability problem in Greater Cambridge; a greater supply of homes will be part of the solution. “Too many of the people working in Cambridge have commutes that are difficult, long and growing: not out of choice, but necessity due to high housing costs.”* *Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Industrial Strategy 2019, p13

6.5 There should be flexibility within the Local Plan to respond to changing housing needs over the Local Plan period. Consideration of individual site circumstances and the circumstances of a local area should be taken into account to determine the appropriate type of housing for development sites. Separate housing needs assessments should be used to inform the appropriate size, type and tenure of housing needed for different sections of the community, as set out within the Greater Cambridge Housing Strategy 2019-2023. 6.6 Flexibility will be key to a successful Local Plan; through market housing, low-cost and affordable housing. Allocations for Build to Rent housing would be welcomed on sites such as the Travis Perkins site.

6.7 Local Plan policies can require a high standard of design for new residential development, leading from Government policy and guidance. Appropriately worded design policies should require a high quality design for new dwellings. This could include sustainable design principles including measures to improve the energy efficiency of new homes, water saving measures, use of efficient insultation material and heating systems, the reduction and recycling of construction materials, provision of appropriate amenity space and accessibility. Policy should not be prescriptive for precisely how it will be accomplished, it can set a policy-level, but developers should be able to use a host of options to achieve the target.